Directional signal device



March 8, 1960 K. R. WALLACE ETAL DIRECTIONAL SIGNAL DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 27, 1958 I04- 2% I24 20/l8 FIG] . Mil EN TORS KENN E TH R.WALLACE NORMAN R. MK

AGENT March 8, 1960 K. R. WALLACE ETAL 2,927,981

DIRECTIONAL SIGNAL DEVICE Filed June 27, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 KENNETH R.WALLACE NORMAN R. enocx AGENT 2,927,981 Patented Mar. 8, 1961} DIRECTIONAL SIGNAL DEVICE Kenneth R. Waliace, Delphi, and Norman R. Brock, Lo-

gansport, Ind., assignors to Essex Wire Corporation Application June 27, 1958, Serial No. 745,084

Claims. (Cl. 200-613) This invention relates to directional signal switches and more particularly to manually set and automatically reset mechanisms for operating such switches.

Automotive vehicles such as passenger cars and trucks are now commonly equipped with a signalling mechanism for, selectively energizing indicating lamps on the front and rear of the vehicle for indicating when a turn is to be made. Such signalling mechanism usually includes a switch for making the required circuit connections and a mechanical device for manual setting of the switch from a neutral position to different signal operating positions and for automatically returning the switch to the neutral position in response to rotation of the steering mechanismvin a direction opposite that of the indicated turn. This invention is concerned principally with such a mechanical device in which electrical means are pro vided for holding the switch in a manually set signalling position.

One object of the present invention is to provide an improveddirectional signal device of the above character which is of simple construction and few parts and which may be easily and inexpensively manufactured.

Another object of the invention is to provide a directional signal device having a simplified yet reliable latching arrangement providing for easy movement of the device to a neutral position or to either of two signal operating positions and for positively retaining the device in any of the positions.

A further object of the invention is to provide a directional signal device which is of compact size, particularly adapted for installation in a limited space.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a directional signal" device embodying the present invention; 7 I

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the directional signal device;

Figure 3is an, enlarged elevational view of the directional signal device as seen from the left side of Figure 1, the operating handle being removed and portions of the switch case being broken away;

Figures 4, 5 and 6 are perspective views, respectively, ofan armature, a leaf spring and frame employed in the directional signal device;

Figure 7'is a view similar to Figure 1, the switch being shown in a different position of operation; and

Figure 8 is a schematic Wiring diagram of a directional signal system employing the directional signal device.

Referring to the drawings, the directional signal device of thepresent invention includes a frame 10 having a base12 andan upstanding leg 14, the upper end of which is bent laterally and rearwardly to form a shelf 16. Base 12 has openings 18 to receive attachingvmeans, such as screws or bolts, for securing the frame 10 to a suitable mounting member. The base 12 of the framev has two spaced apart arms. 20 to which is secured by rivets 22 a pair of apertured ears 24 integrally extending from the case 26 of switch 28. A magnetic core 30' having a coil 32 wound thereon is attached at one end to a third arm 34 disposed between arms 20 and extends generally parallel with leg 14 of the frame.

Attached to leg-14 of the frame It by rivets 36 is a branch 38 of an L-shaped bracket 40. The other branch 42 of bracket 40 is provided with an aperture 44 aligned with aperture 46 in the shelf 16 of frame 10. A pivot pin 48 having an increased diameter portion 56 rigidly secured, as by welding, to a switch operating plate 52 is rotatably disposed in apertures 44 and 46. The end of pin 48 extending through aperture 44 of bracket 40 has an' integral extension 54 projecting through and riveted over a washer 56 for retaining the pin 48 in place. Pin 48 is also provided with a threaded hole 58 for receiving the externally threaded end 60 of an operating handle 62.

The leg 14 of frame 10 carries a movable armature 64 which is attracted to the free end of core 30 when coil 32 is energized. One end of armature 64 terminates'in a tongue 66 of reduced width seating in slot 68 of the frame leg 14 while the opposite end of the armature 64 terminates in a narrow upturned fmg r 70 extending through aperture 72 of plate 52 and having a laterally bent end 74 overlying the adjacent portion of plate 52. Armature 64 is normally biasedtoward the core 30 by a bowed leaf spring 76 such that end 74 of the armature finger 70 engages plate 52. The reduced width end of spring 76 is provided with a notch 78 in which finger 70 of the armature is positioned while the other end of spring 76 is retained between the plate 52 and shelf 16 of the frame with pin 48 passing through aperture 80 in the leaf spring 76. Rotation of spring 76 is prevented by an upstanding lug 82 integral with frame shelf 16 i which is keyed in notch 84 of the leaf spring 76. Plate 52 is also provided with a corresponding notch 86 such that lug 82 will not interfere with adjustment of the plate 52 to its various positions but will limit the extent of travel of plate 52.

Plate 52 is also provided with an elongated aperture 88 through which projects a switch actuating stud 90 movable to various positions of adjustment in response to movement of, plate 52. A roller 92' rotatably secured.

' by a rivet 94 to a substantially triangular lip 96 down-- wardly bent from the end of plate 52 opposite notch 86 cooperates with an indexing cam surface 98 on the switch case. 30 having the general shape of a W. The inner notch 100 of cam surface 98 is engaged by roller 92 to index plate 52in the central position shown in Figure 1. On each side of the notch 100 are slope portions 102 engaged by roller 92 when the roller 92 is moved out of the notch 100 to index the plate 52 in either of its two operative positions.

Switch 28 may be of the type disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 2,528,035, October 31, 1950, to H. H. Clayton. A cover 104 is secured to the case 26 which is of insulating material for retaining two contact carrying insulator blocks 106 slidable in the case 26. v The blocks 106 are held apart .by spring 108'and have shoulders 110 engaged by lugs 112 which depend from plate 114. Actuating stud projecting through slot'116 in cover 104 is attached to plate 114-which is slidable to move either ,block 106 towards the other block. Movable contacts 118, 120, 122 and 124(Figure 8) carried by the blocks 106 engage stationary contacts 126, 128, 130, 132, 134, 136, 138, 140, 142 and 144 secured to the case 26' to control the energization and deenergization of coilv32' and aturn signal system as hereinafter described.

A large opening 146 is formed in plate 52 to permit deflection of plate 52 as the roller 92 passes over surface 98 between the. notch and: either ofl.tlie. slope portions 102. When the operating handle 62"and'plate 52 are moved in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction against the force of spring 108 to indicate a turn, the roller 92 moves out of the neutral positioning notch 100 to engage one of the slope portions 102. Energization of coil 32 causes the end 74 of armature finger 70 to bear against plate 52 preventing its deflection such that roller 92 cannot ride up slope portion 102 and return to notch 100. Upon deenergization of coil 32, the resilient force of plate 52 and leaf spring 76 is not suiticient to prevent the deflection of plate 52 as roller 92 is moved over cam' surface 98 to notch 16% by the force of spring 1138 against plate 52.

In Figure 8, the directional signal device of the present invention is shown connected in a well-known directional signal system for an automotive vehicle. The light front indicating lamp 143 is connected to switch contact 126 and the left front indicating lamp 150 is connected to contact 128. The right rear indicating lamp 152 is con nected to contact 130 and the left rear indicating lamp 154 is connected to contact 132. Contacts 134 and 136 connected to each other are connected through a brakeoperated switch 156 to a battery 158. Contact 133 is connected through a flasher switch 160 of well-known construction to battery 158. Contact 140 is connected to coil 32 of the directional signal device. Contacts 142 and 144, respectively, are connected to thebattery 153 through automatic cancelling switches 161 and 1620f well known construction operated by the steering mechanism of the vehicle. Normally closed switch 161 is adapted to be momentarily opened upon return of the steering mechanism to a straight course position after completion of a right turn. Normally closed switch 162 is adapted to be momentarily opened upon return of the steering mechanism to a straight course position after completion of a left turn.

When plate 52 is in the neutral position shown in Figure 1, movable contact 118 interconnects contacts 130 and 134 while movable contact 120 interconnects contacts 132 and 136. If the stop light switch 156 is closed, current Will flow from battery 158 to the rear lamps 152 and 154 to indicate that the brakes are being applied.

When plate 52 is shifted by clockwise rotation of handle 62 to the position shown in Figure 7 to signal a left turn, movable contact 124 bridges contacts 140 and 144 to energize coil 32 for retaining plate 52 in the selected signalling position while movable contact 129 bridges contacts 128, 132 and 138 to intermittently energize left lamps 150 and 154 through flasher switch 166 for flashing lamps 150 and 154 in a well-known manner. If the stop light switch 156 is closed the right rear lamp 152 will be energized to indicate that the brakes are being applied. When the vehicle returns to a straight course after completing the left turn, momentary opening of switch 162 deenergizes coil 32 and the plate 52 will automatically return to its neutral position. The plate 52 may also be manually returned to its neutral position before completion of the signalled turn by rotating handle 62 in a counterclockwise direction.

It will be apparent that a counterclockwise rotation of handle 62 from its neutral position will provide a similar switching arrangement to intermittently energize right lamps 148 and 152 for signalling a right turn, movable contact 122 bridging contacts 140 and 142 for energizing coil 32.

From the foregoing, it will be understood that the arrangement of the various components of the directional signal device results in an extremely compact arrangement which operates smoothly at all times, which is depen lable in operation and requires only a small force to positively retain the device in any selected position. The directional signal device described is extremely simple in construction and is readily adapted to be assembled from a small number of parts which may be inexpensively manufactured.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in its preferred embodiment and has included certain details, it should be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the precise details herein illusrated and described since the same may be carried out in other ways falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. A directional signal device comprising an electric switch having an actuating element which is movable from a neutral position to an operative position on each side of the neutral position and having spring means biasing the actuating element to the neutral position; a frame member supporting the switch; an operating member for moving the actuating element of the switch pivotally mounted on the frame member for rotation between a neutral position and two operative positions corresponding to the neutral position and the two operative positions of the switch actuating element; a cam surface disposed adjacent said switch actuating element for indexing the operating member in the neutral position and the two operative positions; a bearing member carried by the operating member and engaging the cam surface; the operating member being flexible about an axis perpendicular to its axis of rotation and being deflected by movement of the bearing member over the cam surface when the operating member is rotated between its neutral position and either of its two operative positions; an electromagnet mounted upon the frame member; a movable armature pivotally mounted upon the frame for cooperation with the electromagnet to resist deflection of the operating member when the electromagnet is energized for preventing the spring means of the switch from returning the operating member to its neutral position from either of its operative positions.

2. A directional signal device comprising a frame member; a switch operating member pivotally mounted on the frame member for rotation between a neutral position and right and left turn positions, the operating member being flexible about an axis perpendicular to its axis of rotation; an electric switch having an actuating element movable from a neutral position to a right turn position when the operating member is rotated to its right turn position and movable to a left turn position when the operating member is rotated to its left turn position; spring means biasing the switch actuating element and the operating member to the neutral position; detent means for indexing the operating member in its neutral, right and left turn positions, the detent means deflecting the operating member upon movement of the operating mem ber between its neutral position and either its right or left turn position; an electromagnet mounted upon the frame; a movable armature cooperating with the electromagnet to resist deflection of the operating member when the electromagnet is energized for preventing the spring means from returning the operating member to its neutral position from either its right or left turn position; the spring means being effective to return the operating member to its neutral position from either its right or left turn position when the electromagnet is not energized.

3. A directional signal device comprising a support member; a switch having an actuating element which is movable between a neutral position and an operative position; an operating member for moving the actuating element of the switch mounted upon the support member for movement between a neutral position and an operative position corresponding to the neutral position and the operative position of the actuating element of the switch; a deflectable portion of the operating member being movable substantially perpendicular to the plane in which the operating member moves between its neutral position and its operative position; detent means for indexing the operating member in its operative position, the detent means deflecting the deflectable portion of the operating member upon movement of the operating member between its neutral position and its operative position; an electromagnet mounted upon the support member; an armature co- J operating with the electromagnet and associated with the defiectable portion of the operating member to resist deflection thereof when the electromagnet is energized; spring means biasing the actuating element of the switch and the operating member to the neutral position and effective to return the operating member to its neutral position from the operative position when the electromagnet is energized; the spring means being ineifective to return the operatingmember from its operative position to itsvneutral position when deflection of the deflectable portion of the operating member is restrained by the armature upon energization of the electromagnet.

4. A directional signal device comprising a frame; an

electric switch mounted upon the frame and having an actuating element movable from a central position to operating positions on either side of the central position; a spring means yieldably urging the actuating element to its central position; a resilient operating plate having an end portion overlying the switch; means for pivotally mounting the other end of the operating plate on the frame; said operating plate being movable from a central position to positions on either side of the central position;

means operatively connecting the operating plate to the switch actuating element whereby the actuating element is moved to its operating positions upon movement of the operating plate to positions on either side of its central position; a roller secured on the *free end portion of the operating plate; said switch having a cam surface provided with oppositely-facing slope portions and a central notch; the notch being positioned to receive the roller when the operating plate is in its central position; one of the slope portions being positioned to be engaged by the roller when the operating plate is moved to one side of its central position; the other of the slope portions being positioned to be engaged by the roller when the operating ii plate is moved to the other side of its central position; the operating member having a flexible portion intermediate its pivotally-mounted end and its free end portion; the flexible portion of the operating member providing for some displacement of the free end in directions generally perpendicular to the plane in which the operating member is pivotally movable such that the spring means is normally operable to move the roller over the slope portions into the notch; an electromagnet mounted upon the frame and having an armature; means eperatively connecting the armature to the operating plate to restrain flexing of the flexible portion thereof when the electromagnet is energized; and the operating plate being operable when restrained by the armature to yieldably maintain the roller in engagement with either of the slope portions against the force of the spring means.

5. A directional signal device according to claim 4 wherein said means operatively connecting the armature to the operating plate comprise a narrow finger attached to said armature; said operating plate being provided with a transversely extending aperture; the narrow finger projecting through the aperture in the operating plate and having a bent end overlying an adjacent portion of the operating plate on the side opposite the armature; and the armature being arranged to move in a direction away from the operating plate when said electromagnet is energized to cause the bent end to bear against the operating plate.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

